In 1983, after years of deteriorating vision, the writer and theologian John Hull lost the last traces of light sensation. For the next three years, he kept a diary on audio-cassette of his interior world of blindness. This film is a dramatization that uses his original recordings.

This is a beautiful short film in every way. I recommend reading The Story Behind ‘Notes on Blindness’ as well. Nick Partyka of The Fox is Black had this to say:

When you set aside the aesthetic beauty of the visuals and storytelling, you’re left with a rather grim tale of a dejected man coming-to-terms with blindness. But, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, it’s tremendously inspiring. Hull describes his blindness as “a dark, paradoxical gift.” Indeed, as his troubles leave me feeling more able to cope with my own. One instance, for example, sees Hull describing the rain, a moment that left me completely enthralled with Middleton and Spinney’s interpretation. His thoughts here are so utterly perceptive, that when coupled with the breathtaking visuals, I feel filled with a new level of understanding.

I was bowled over by the rain moment he mentions—it’s where the title of my post comes from. I want to start every day off with a viewing of this.

/via The Fox is Black

Joe Stracci